Live Oak’s season came to an abrupt end last season, falling 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section playoffs.
The team that year in and year out expects to contend for a CCS championship, it was a disappointment. This year, however, Live Oak looks to retool and make another run.
“We’ve got a lot of young faces on the team and I think the girls are bonding very well and coming along,” said coach Tony Vasquez. “I think the games here and there are helping us to find out who we are.”
Helping that process along is the fact most of the Acorns’ weapons from last year have returned. On offense, Sarah Jensen, Bella Apolinar and Holly Hopwood will all look to help implement a new system Vasquez is putting in place.
“We have a great returning class back,” Vasquez said. “We’re excited with the team that we have this year and we’re hoping they have big years.”
The main leadership roles will fall to Jensen with Carly Kyle, Claire Giacalone and Apolinar, but Vasquez has veterans up and down the field.
At midfield and on defense are the Salzwedel twins: Ally and Morgan. Ally is coming off a strong season with the field hockey team and Morgan is returning from a stint on the junior varsity football team as a kicker.
The Acorns will also help bring along some new talent.
“The first month is a grind because finals are coming up, then you take a two-week break and then finals start,” Vasquez said.
Coming into Wednesday, Live Oak was undefeated, having advanced to the Watsonville Tournament finals and then coming home to defeat Sobrato, 2-1 on Monday.
Live Oak will take on Gilroy on Dec. 18 in Gilroy to round out nonleague play.
The Acorns will officially kickoff league play Jan. 7 against Leland as they work to atone for last year’s disappointing second place in the Mt. Hamilton Division.
